On the eve of Friendship Day, two filmmaker buddies Anurag Kashyap and Tigmanshu Dhulia got together for a night on the town. As the hours ticked by, the directors started brainstorming on the possibility of merging their cinematic visions.

A source, who was witness to the rendezvous, told Mirror, “Tigmanshu expressed his interest in writing a film based on the novel Madam X. It's a crime thriller set in Mumbai and revolves around a female gangster. The book has been written by well-known Gujarati journalist, Ashu Patel.The genre is familiar territory for Anurag who told Tigmanshu that he'd like to direct the film and produce it with him."

Anurag has been brainstorming with several writers on his next project after Bombay Velvet. He sensed that Madam X, a dark crime saga is a perfect fit for him and the deal was sealed immediately. The film will go on floors early next year.

When contacted, Tigmanshu confirmed the news, saying, “I've narrated the story to Huma Qureshi. She loved it and will be playing Madam X. Anurag will direct the film after he's done with Bombay Velvet. It's a fantastic novel by Ashu, whom I've known for many years. It lends itself very well to Anurag and my cinematic sensibilities."

Asked where the movie is set, the director said: “In Meerut and Mumbai. I'm already working on the script. I have acted in Anurag's films in the past (he played Ramadhir Singh in Gangs of Wasseypur and its sequel) but this is the first time I'm writing a screenplay for him.“